FLORA'S LEXICON. 



181 



OSE. Rosa. Class 12, ICOSANDRIA. Or- 

 der : POI/YGYNIA. In producing this flower, 

 nature appears to have exhausted herself 

 by her prodigality, in attempting to create 

 so fine a specimen of freshness, of beauty 

 in form, of exquisite perfume, of brilliancy 

 of colour, and of grace. The rose adorns 

 the whole earth, as it is the commonest of flowers. The same 

 day that its beauty is perfected it dies; but each spring restores 

 it to us with renewed freshness. Poets have had fair opportuni- 

 ties for singing its praises, yet they have not rendered its eulogy 

 common-place, but its name alone redeems their names from for- 

 getfulness. Emblem of all ages, interpreter of all our senti- 

 ments, the rose mingles in the gaiety of our feasts, in our hap- 

 piness, and in our sorrows. It is also the ornament of beauty, 

 and lends its soft carnation hues to the blush of modesty. It is 

 given as the prize of virtue ; and is the image of youth, of inno- 

 cence, and of pleasure. Venus is said to feel that she has a rival 

 in the rose, as it possesses, like her, a grace which is more lovely 

 than beauty itself. 



BEAUTY. 



A native grace 



Sat fair proportion'd on her polish'd limbs, 

 Veil'd in a simple robe, their best attire, 

 Beyond the pomp of dress ; for loveliness 

 Needs not the foreign aid of ornament, 

 But is, when unadorn'd, adorn'd the most; 

 Thoughtless of beauty, she was Beauty's self, 

 Recluse amid the close embowering woods. 

 As in the hollow breast of Apennine, 

 Beneath the shelter of encircling hills, 

 A myrtle rises far from human eye, 

 And breathes its balmy fragrance o'er the wild; 

 So flourish'd, blooming, and unseen by all, 

 The sweet Lavinia. 



THOMSON. 



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